Location details for emergency shelters within the Katherine region
Shelters will be open in this order; tune into your local radio to learn more.

Katherine High School

Grevillea Street, Katherine East

MacFarlane Primary School

Grevillea Street, Katherine East

Casuarina Street Primary School

Corner Casuarina Street & Needham Terrace, Katherine

Location details for emergency shelters within the Alice Springs region

Braitling Primary School

80 Head Street, Braitling

Centralian Middle School

56 Milner Road, Gillen

Centralian Senior College

10 Grevillea Drive, Sadadeen

Larapinta Primary School

22 Albrecht Drive, Larapinta

Yirara College

South Stuart Highway, Alice Springs

Sheltering at home during a cyclone

Since Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974, building codes have required buildings in cyclone-prone areas to incorporate cyclone resistant construction. Buildings that comply with the Building Code of Australia are generally referred to as being "built to code".

If your house has been built to code and has been well maintained, you should shelter at home. If your house is not to code, you should consider sheltering with family or friends who have a house built to code.

When sheltering in any home it is important to use the strongest, most protected part of the house. This is usually the smallest room in the house with small or no windows.

Points to remember

Small rooms are generally stronger than large rooms

Central hallways might give greater protection because they are surrounded by the rest of the house

Rooms with few or small windows are better than those with large windows

To learn more about improving the safety of your home in the event of a cyclone, please see our Publications.

Preparing your home and shelter area before a cyclone

Where possible, board your windows from the outside or block them from the inside using a mattress and some strong sturdy furniture

Remove pictures and valuables from walls and shelving

Place valuables and precious items in strong water-proof garbage bags and tape up

Pack away all loose items into cupboards and secure cupboard doors if possible

Prepare your shelter area with mattresses, blankets, pillows, emergency kit with radio, items to keep everyone occupied and facilities for pets if they are sharing your shelter

Evacuation inland

If you choose to evacuate, you should leave early.

Points to remember

Evacuate well before strong winds affect your area

Allow time to secure and protect your property

You may need to sustain yourself and your family for a few days, so be prepared

Listed to radio or television broadcasts and only return when the "all clear" is given

Advise friends of plans and confirm your safe return

Emergency shelters

Emergency shelters are unique to the Northern Territory and are a direct legacy of Cyclone Tracy. Following Cyclone Tracy, selected buildings were repaired and upgraded by the Government so they could be used as emergency shelter facilities during the rebuilding of Darwin. Shelters have continued to be provided for residents who are at risk from STORM SURGE, live in caravan parks or other non-coded homes.

Points to remember

They have a limited capacity and do not guarantee safety in all circumstances

They do not allow animals

They are mainly staffed by voluntary personnel with a police and medical presence

They do not provide meals or special baby needs

They might become welfare assembly centres after the cyclone

They are used at your own risk - the Northern Territory Government accepts no liability for any loss, injury or death arising from the use by the public during a cyclone

NOTE: A number of undercover car parks have been identified as places where residents can shelter in their cars with their pets, provided the pets are properly restrained. These car parks were built to code but they are not designed as emergency shelters. They do not have supporting staff, are not fully enclosed, are without amenities and do not have debris screens. Vehicles and pets may not be left unattended.

Sheltering during a flood

Before making the decision of where you will shelter during a flood, it is important to identify local risks in your area. You may need to contact your local council or the Northern Territory Emergency Service directly to discuss local plans, warning systems, evacuation routes and strategies.

To know what action you should to take to prepare for a flood, please click HERE to go to the Flood Action Guide.